February 20, 2024
Police Department
DATE: February 20, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Sole-Source Contract with Tactical K-9, LLC to Train and Maintain Richmond Police Department’s K-9 Unit
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $41,500 will come from the Police Department’s approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024
adopted budget – account string 01191021-400201.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
n/a
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department has five canine (K-9)
teams that require ongoing training to optimize
functionality, obtain required certification, and minimize liability.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Tactical K9, LLC,
in the amount of $41,500, to provide continued K-9
maintenance training, for the term February 21, 2024,
through February 20, 2025, with two additional one-year mutually agreed upon extension options at a cost not to exceed $41,500 per extension year – Police Department
(Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
February 20, 2024
The City of Richmond’s Police Department (RPD) K-9 Unit would like to enter into a one-year sole-source contract with Tactical K-9, LLC. Tactical K-9, LLC’s flexibility and eight-year history with RPD allows the K-9 teams to move forward without change to the current training schedule. The owner, Douglas Roller, and the trainers from Tactical K-9, LLC are recognized by the courts as experts in the area of police service dogs and can also provide Police Department staff with E-Collar training for their police service dogs.
Douglas Roller's team at Tactical K9 has been used by RPD since 2015 and has a great reputation and understanding with not only the canine, but also with the Police Officer handlers. Roller's training history with RPD means that he has trained most, if not all, of the canines currently used by RPD. Consistency is a key reason it is generally preferable for a police canine to stick with a single trainer rather than switching trainers.
This approach fosters trust (bonding), allows for the development of a reliable communication system based on consistent commands and cues, and ensures that the dog and handler understand each other's signals and body language. A consistent training environment (City of Richmond facility) also enables the reinforcement of specialized training techniques, such as the e-Collar training, and promotes efficient task execution. The stability in the handler-dog relationship contributes to effective teamwork, reducing stress and anxiety for the dog and enhances overall performance in various law enforcement tasks. While there may be exceptions, maintaining a continuous and consistent training partnership is essential for the success and well- being of the police canine and canine handler.
Since working with Tactical K-9, LLC, RPD staff have seen the K-9 unit develop and grow into a very productive and useful entity for the Department. Continuing with Tactical K-9, LLC will offer the same consistent training focused on off-leash control, advanced tactics, productivity, and risk management. For these reasons, RPD staff recommends approving the one-year contract with Tactical K-9, LLC and allowing for two one-year mutually agreed upon extensions given the cost does not increase by more than the average annual Consumer Price Index (CPI).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Executed Sole-Source Form